2. GOD AND MONEY PART 1 LUKE 16

3. Introduction Have you ever taken a close look at your relationship with money? Let me phrase it another way, have you ever considered that the way you spend your money is a litmus test of your relationship with God? In the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16) Jesus exposes the relationship between our handling of this world’s possession and our love for God. This parable also reveals that our spending is either an investment into the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Self. What is your wallet revealing about you?

4. BIG IDEA: IS YOUR MONEY INVESTED IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD OR WASTED ON THE KINGDOM OF SELF

5. D OES Y OUR S PENDING R EFLECT G OD ’ S OWNERSHIP OF E VERYTHING ? VERSES 1-8, 12 PLANNING ACCOUNTABILITY PURPOSE

6. D OES Y OUR S PENDING A CCOMPLISH ANYTHING ETERNAL? VERSES 10-12 RELATIONSHIPS GREAT COMMISSION GOD’S PROGRAM

7. D OES Y OUR S PENDING W ARRANT FUTURE, GENUINE INVESTMENT ? VERSES 10-12 (ROI) RETURN ON INVESTMENT TRUSTWORTHY AND FAITHFUL

8. D OES Y OUR S PENDING G IVE PRIORITY T O G OD ? VERSES 13-15 WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY TRAIL LEAD? WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A MILLION DOLLARS? WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR PAYCHECK AND POSSESSIONS?

9. Conclusion Jesus uses this parable to help us discover that our finances can be used on either the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Self. Jesus put it plainly, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:19-21.

10. Conclusion How would you evaluate your stewardship this past year? Have you been investing in your family, your church and God’s priorities or throwing it all away on the Kingdom of self? God is calling you to invest in His Kingdom; what is 2013 going to look like for you?